According to Suntory, nobody fully understands how it is that alcohol "mellows" with age, but they suggest that "the formation of high-dimensional molecular structure consisting of water, ethanol, and other ingredients in alcoholic beverages contributes to the development of mellowness." It also notes that this works best "in environments where liquid convection is suppressed. " Basically, they think the microgravity of the International Space Station is the perfect place to age alcohol.

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The experiment is planned for a period of one year with one group, and two or more with another. By September 2016, astronauts could potentially enjoy a series of impressively mellow drinks, presumably in weird orb form.